The Use of Personal Response System in Accounting Courses

A Personal Response System uses hand-held wireless transmitters, receivers, and computer software to obtain immediate feedback from students. The technique is similar to “asking the audience” on the game show Who Wants to be a Millionaire? This easy-to-use tool enhances interaction among students and the instructor and appears to increase learning. The classroom environment becomes more competitive as students strive to select correct answers to questions asked by the instructor. Any time during a lecture, the instructor can project a question on the screen or simply orally ask a question of the class and students provide answers. The instructor obtains immediate feedback that assesses the students’ understanding of the concept. Immediate feedback provides satisfaction to the students that they have mastered the concepts and identifies students’ misconceptions that a skillful instructor can correct through additional explanations and retest the students’ master through reformulation of additional questions.

The use of PRS appears to be a valuable tool for increasing interactivity within accounting courses. Not only is the technology easy to use but also available at low costs to universities. As instructors continue to develop courses that include the use of PRS, various research opportunities exist to determine whether PRS enhances learning

This article is from the Accounting Instructors’ Report, an electronic journal that provides teaching tips and insights to those who teach accounting and other business courses.